Swift 009.c

The Swift 009.c was the second CART chassis designed and built by Swift Engineering. Newman-Haas Racing and Della Penna Motorsports entered the chassis during the 1998 CART season.

Swift 009.c
CategoryCART
ConstructorSwift Engineering
Designer(s)David Bruns
PredecessorSwift 008.a
SuccessorSwift 010.c
Technical specifications
Chassiscarbon fiber monocoque
EngineFord-XD 2,650 cc (161.7 cu in) V8 Turbo
Weight1,500 lb (680.4 kg)
FuelMethanol
TyresGoodyear Eagle
Firestone Firehawk
Competition history
Notable entrantsNewman-Haas Racing
Della Penna Motorsports
Notable driversUnited States Michael Andretti
Brazil Christian Fittipaldi
Brazil Roberto Moreno
United States Richie Hearn
Debut1998 Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami
First win1998 Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami
Last win1998 Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami
Last event1998 Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota
RacesWinsPodiums
1917
PolesF/LapsTitles
100
Constructors' Championships2nd
Drivers' Championships7th

History

After a successful campaign in 1997, in which the Swift 007.i, won the season opener, successor for the car was designed for 1998. The car was designed by David Bruns in cooperation with Haas CNC. Swift Engineering planned to build six chassis each billing around $425,000.[1]

The Swift 009.c made a stunning debut with Michael Andretti winning the season opener and Christian Fittipaldi finishing fourth. All four entered Swift chassis finished the race. The American built chassis proved to be fast when Andretti also noted the fastest time in the Goodyear tire test at Gateway International Raceway.[2] Andretti finished second in the race at the St. Louis circuit. The best result for Fittipaldi were two third places at Road America and Surfers Paradise. The Brazilian had a heavy crash in opening practice at the Milwaukee Mile. Fittipaldi was knocked unconscious but had no serious injuries despite his chassis being split in half. For the race Fittipaldi was replaced by Team Penske test driver Roberto Moreno.

A third Swift 009.c chassis was entered by Della Penna Motorsports for Richie Hearn. Hearn's best result was a fifth place finish at Michigan International Speedway. Hearn beat both Newman-Haas Racing entries.

Swift secured the second place in the constructors championship. Second to only the dominant Reynard 98i chassis.

Complete CART results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position) (results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Points D.C.
1998 Newman-Haas Racing Ford XD V8t G MIA MOT LBH NAZ RIO GAT MIL DET POR CLE TOR MCH MDO ROA VAN LAG HOU SFR FON
United States Michael Andretti 6 1* 14 21 18* 5 2* 26 10 17 2 2 6 21 15 2 10 28 20 18 112 7th
Brazil Christian Fittipaldi 11 4 25 26 11 21 11 DNS 17 26 11 16 25 13 3 14 9 27 3 7 56 14th
Brazil Roberto Moreno 24 0 31st
Della Penna Motorsports Ford XD V8t F United States Richie Hearn 10 13 27 23 10 7 28 6 23 10 18 7 5 24 13 16 11 9 18 8 47 16th

References

  1. "Swift Engineering Uses Science to Go Faster". Haas CNC Magazine. 2 (5). Archived from the original on 2016-04-17.
  2. "Andretti Quickest in Final Day of St. Louis Tire Test". CART. Archived from the original on May 4, 1998. Retrieved 5 April 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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